A few decades later, Jean-Jacques Eydelie reopens his memory box. The former defender, who later became a coach, is now looking for a new club to coach. His last experience dates back to 2018 with a first division team in Burundi in Africa. Since then, Jean-Jacques Eydelie has always remained open to proposals.
In the meantime, he returns with pleasure to his career at FC Nantes and SC Bastia, two clubs he knew as a player. Two clubs who also face each other this Thursday evening in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. Interview.
France Bleu Loire Océan: Jean-Jacques Eydelie, you were trained in Nantes, before leaving for Marseille, then landing for two seasons in Bastia. Does your heart lean towards the Canary side or the Corsican side today?
Jean Jacques Eydelie : My heart is yellow and green, forever. That doesn’t prevent me from loving Bastia very much, but my heart is from Nantes. In addition, I met a few days ago Jean-René Toumelin, the former president of FC Nantes. I also had “Coco” Suaudeau on the phone. It made me very funny, I had chills all over, it reminds me of so many things. Nantes is the place where I learned everything.
What exactly did you talk about with Jean-René Toumelin and “Coco” Suaudeau?
We talked about the situation of the club under the Kita era. We also and above all talked about old, imperishable memories. Nantes has really been the most important club in my career. There, I was always invaded by the game and that was the only thing that motivated me. I really liked the correlation between managers and players, there was a real closeness.
A family side, a cocoon in a way?
Exactly, FC Nantes at the time was a big family. While in Bastia, precisely, it is rather the strength of character, the warrior spirit, completely different. A real fiery temperament with a game that is always very catchy, very determined. I had Fred Antonetti as my coach at the time. He was passionate about Nantes-style game, and as soon as I arrived in Bastia, he asked me if I could share the secrets of the recipe with him. We had very interesting discussions.
Do you think we’ve lost that spirit in both clubs today?
Many things have changed in Nantes, not necessarily for the better. The family side, I find it with the old ones but otherwise, I have the impression that it has disappeared. On the other hand, in Bastia, that will never change. The players who play there know above all that you have to give everything for this club. And there, when we give, the Corsicans also know how to be generous in return. It’s a temperament that I really like.
You know very well the current coach in Nantes, Antoine Kombouaré. You were trained at the same time at the club. To see him today in this position, is it a source of pride?
I am very proud of what Antoine is doing at the club at the moment. I really like his temperament, sometimes volcanic, but sometimes also very serene. He knows what he’s talking about when he has a group in his hands, and he knows how to instill a warrior mentality in his players. It is very important in today’s football.
How do you find them this season the Canaries?
I find them good, there are a lot of good things. The team is evolving, it is in full progress compared to last year, more serene. And for the Coupe de France, I see the club finishing on a good note. I don’t see why the adventure would stop now, even if with their character, the Corsicans will surely not let it go (Bastia is currently 17th in Ligue 2).
Any predictions for Thursday night’s game?
Come on, why not a draw and a penalty shootout! I wish there was suspense. Now, very sincerely, Nantes must win.